Prime Minister Hon. Gaston Browne has expressed concern over the inflationary impact of a planned move by the United States to impose steep levies on Chinese-built or operated ships that dock at US ports. The U.S. Trade Representative has proposed fines of up to US$1.5 million on China-made ships or vessels from fleets that include ships made in China. Prime Minister Browne says this would significantly push up freight costs and ultimately consumer prices in Antigua and Barbuda, potentially fuelling inflation of up to 14 per cent. He told listeners on Pointe FM on Saturday this move would be devastating to Caribbean economies which rely on supply chains from US ports.
Caricom is expected to engage the Trump administration to outline the consequences of such a move and to ask for a carve-out under the Caribbean Basin Initiative, CBI. Prime Minister Browne says the region is not seeking to become involved in the geo-political contretemps between Washington and Beijing.
ABS will have more on this issue during the Evening News on Sunday.
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